Sheriff Al Cannon named Massing of the Colors speaker

The General Westmoreland/Charleston Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) will conduct its 14th annual Massing of the Colors ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in Summerall Chapel at The Citadel.

Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon will be the guest speaker at the event, which is free and open to the public.

Cannon has served as Charleston County Sheriff since first elected in 1988. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston and University of South Carolina and the USC School of Law.

A member of the Air Force Reserve, Cannon has spent his entire career in the Office of Special Investigations. In his last assignment, he served as reserve commander of the 3rd Field Investigations Region, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, which provided investigative, counterintelligence and counterterrorism support to the 15 Air Mobility Command bases throughout the United State. He retired as a colonel in 2006 after 25 years of service. A Russian translator, Cannon also is a recognized authority on terrorism and anti-terrorism measures.

The MOWW chapter annually invites color guards from area ROTC and JROTC units, as well as active duty military and public safety units, retired and former military personnel, civic organizations and youth groups such as the Navy League Sea Cadets, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Lowcountry. Last year, 27 color guards participated in the patriotic and religious service honoring the U.S. flag. The service is also in memory of military service members who have given their lives in service to the country and those who have served and are serving to ensure continued freedom and to preserve military heritage.

"The MOWW's purpose includes teaching and stimulating love of country and the flag, and furthering patriotic education," said Rudy Matzner, U.S. Navy retired and coordinator of the Massing of the Colors. "Its membership, composed of currently serving and retired commissioned officers of the United States, invites the public to honor the flags of participating units by attending this patriotic and inspiring ceremony."

Guests are requested to be seated in Summerall Chapel by 2:45 p.m. Parking is available on campus.

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